Q&A for How to Store Dry Ice

No, dry ice must never be kept in a home refrigerator freezer. This is because the warmer temperature of the freezer will cause the dry ice to transform into a gas (sublimate) and the initial extremely cold temperature of the dry ice can cause the freezer thermostat to shut down (and potentially break). Moreover, if the dry ice is inside an airtight container, when it turns into a gas because the warmer temperature melts it, then it may cause the container to explode inside the freezer.

You can keep dry ice in a Styrofoam cooler until it sublimates, which will usually take about 18 to 24 hours, depending on the external temperature. This time can be extended by keeping the external temperature cooler around it, packing the edges around the ice in the cooler with wads of newspaper and lining the cooler with additional Styrofoam.

Dry ice should not be kept in a home freezer. You can keep dry ice in a Styrofoam container, such as a cooler, that is not airtight. It can be kept in there until it sublimates (turns into a gas), usually within 18 to 24 hours.

Yes, you can. You can find lots of dry ice punch recipes online.

Yes, but put it in a big bowl of punch or something similar and make sure nobody accidentally touches or drinks the actual ice.

Yes.

You leave it out somewhere above its sublimation point. It is great for creating a DIY smoke machine, stage effects, or experiments.

I would stick to the air conditioning, because it is probably cheaper and works better. Just think about all that work to move the dry ice into the room all the time just to keep it cold, and the cost.

No. You shouldn't as it gives off carbon dioxide, and you would be blowing it into your house.

Yes, but be careful when opening the container as it can cause a lot of burns.

As long as there is no visible damage, the container should be safe to use again.

Yes, but be sure that everyone at the party is aware of the dangers of dry ice and does not touch it.

Yes, it is normal. Dry ice does not last for long -- after a certain mount of time, it will evaporate and turn into carbon dioxide.

Put crushed dry ice in a bucket, and pour boiling water into the bucket.

Yes, you can. There are lots of recipes to choose from online.

Putting your thick styrofoam cooler of dry ice inside an open, top-loading freezer would keep it from sublimating away better than just having it sitting out on the floor. The open top and the thick styrofoam would protect the freezer from low temperature damage. However, since the freezer will not turn on because the dry ice is colder than the freezer's lowest temperature, it would make more sense to put it inside another thick styrofoam box that is insulated better than the freezer is and has less empty space to increase the dry ice's sublimation rate. You can fill any empty space with styrofoam pellets to maximize storage time.

Dry ice can be a good way to preserve food in a freezer during a prolonged power outage. Normally, if the power is out for less than a day or two, it is sufficient to simply not open the door to keep everything frozen. If it's going to be out for several days, small pieces of dry ice can be used to keep the inside cold, but too much at once could create excessively low temperatures that might damage the freezer or even damage the food you are trying to preserve.

You'll need crushed dry ice placed below the cake box. Dont let then touch the cake as it may ruin it.

Use a styrofoam cooler. Place the dry ice inside of a plastic bag (with small holes in the bag). Place the frozen food inside the cooler (the flatter on top, the better). Next, make some kind of barrier to make sure dry ice does not contact the food directly, then place the dry ice in the bag on top of the food, close the styrofoam cooler, and that should last for at least 24 hours (depending on how much dry ice you have).

Sure, it's fine to eat as long as the food itself in't covered in dry ice or anything. You should avoid touching the dry ice directly.

It can for a short period of time. If it's in a container that is airtight it can cause an explosion.

No. It could cause severe damage to the glass container.

No, please don't put it in the freezer. A freezer is airtight, and it can cause the dry ice to explode. Also, if you try to put dry ice in a regular freezer or refrigerator, you could destroy the system, as the thermostats are not made to handle those kinds of temperatures.

A thick styrofoam box is sufficient to keep dry ice for an extended period of time. Don't close the lid tightly, as dry ice sublimates instead of melts, meaning it releases carbon dioxide. As carbon dioxide changes to gas, it needs room to escape. If you use an airtight container, the gas cannot escape. In extreme cases, the gas can expand too much, causing an explosion.

This is not recommended, as it will cool down your swimming pool, and more importantly CO2 will build up right above the water level, which is exactly where your head is when swimming.

Reduce the air flow around the dry ice by putting it in an insulated box with crumpled newspaper to take up the dead air. Leave it in a cool area.

They should be fairly thick, but you should ensure that you do not leave it on your gloves for an extended period of time just to be safe.

A Styrofoam container is your best bet if you need to keep a block of dry ice in your truck overnight.

Never take dry ice on a plane or bus in an air tight container as it can become a bomb. If the container is not air tight, the dry ice will be giving off CO2 gas which can suffocate people in a closed space. So it is never a good idea to take it on public transport.

No, but if you let it touch the cake directly or with too thin of a barrier in between, it could damage the cake. (Use a piece of cardboard or something to separate them, not just a plastic bag.)